A CELEBRATION OF YOUNG WRITERS, POETS AND ARTISTS

(Article published in HWW July-Aug 2007)

Last month, children of many talents, both boys and girls from ages 4 to 19, took part in the 4th annual CELEBRATION OF YOUNG WRITERS, POETS AND ARTISTS, sponsored by our newsletter HOW…WHEN…WHERE.

They sent us stories, poems, essays they had written and pictures they had drawn and painted. And before school closed, many of these children along with parents and recreation staff from more than 20 family shelters came to a party in their honor at Genesis RFK Houses in Greenwich Village. They were entertained by magician Justin Style and a famous children’s book author Mary Ann Hoberman and treated to pizza and ice cream. Master of Ceremonies Anthony Graham of HELP USA invited some of the young authors up to the microphone to read their own writings.

YOUNG WRITERS READ

Giovanno, age 13

I AM

I am at peace with the world
I wonder if the world is at peace with me
I hear the earth speak through the winds and weather
I see sympathy in the world’s psyche
I want this vast planet to be acceptable
I am one with the world

I pretend that I articulate with the earth
I feel its expressions back
I touch the midst of the world
I worry something amiss
I cry the anguish of the world
I am one with the world

I understand the world isn’t immaculate
I say it is fair enough
I dream of a world that is graceful and jolly
I try to make that come true
I hope the world is one with me
I am at peace with the world

By Sabrina, age 6

When I grow up I want to be a teacher to teach the children how to read and write so they can go to 1st grade and on. I want to be a fun teacher so the kids come to school every day and not be absent. Also when I grow up I want to be a teacher because teachers are the coolest people ever.

By Samantha, age 8

When I grow up I want to be a doctor to help children to feel better. Another reason why I want to become a doctor so children will be inspired by my profession. When people need their shot they can come to me. I just want to help men and women be healthy.

By Kiana, age 12

She’s tall as a tree
Beautiful as can be

She has a personality that is nice
And an attitude that is sometimes
Sugar and sometimes spice

She adore the color pink
And don’t doubt herself as the weakest
Link
Her favorite fruit is banana
And that’s all you need to know
About Kiana.